Love of lathes.

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Alan D; yes I've seen pictures of such belt stitching and it appears to work.

Thanks Gary; the channel clamps have worked brilliantly because I've just removed them and not only has the hide glue fully set the belt joints are in perfect alignment. All I needed to do was to remove excess glue using a sharp wood chisel and a bit of abrasive paper to finish the joints off.

I've just installed both belts into the lathe and immediately knew one of the belts was going to break because the original joint on the motor belt was starting to let go and sure enough as soon as I pressed the start button the joint let go. I'll have another session after dinner and re-glue this failed joint which is now easy enough that I've got the channel clamps and know how to joint these belts. The new joints I've just made though are so far holding up well and I've been pulling the mandrel belt round by hand wondering if the original joint on this is going to let go now or wait until I've sorted out the motor belt before letting go just to wind me up?

Both belts proved to be perfect length giving nice tension at the highest counter-shaft position and this will allow for future stretching. So near and yet so far but these things are always sent to test me and it would be boring if things went correctly the first time?

It's early days but I feel hot hide glue will prove very successful allowing me to joint these belts quite easily and the channel clamps have proved successful in perfectly aligning the joint. The downside is that hot hide glue is messy and slow but I don't expect to be doing this belt jointing every day. I have found a source of Barge Cement which is also highly rated for leather belt jointing;

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-us...-glue.aspx

I've spent hours browsing the web for leather belt suppliers and the few I have found tend to be expensive. I'm now looking into local equine centers or saddlers who might supply suitable leather; I'm no longer a raw novice regarding leather belts because I can now joint them to make my own which opens up new possibilities. I love these restorations because I'm constantly learning all the time and don't regard a problem as a problem; a problem is a challenge.

I could buy a modern fabricated very strong endless belt for the motor drive and already have the quote for this but where is the fun in doing it this way after all I'm not running a business so having the lathe down isn't a problem but it is a source of entertainment.

Kind regards, Col.